. "What on earth are you talking about? And
what are you doing in the wilderness?"

"I am spending the week-end with your sister," John replied. "I
understood that you were coming."

The young man at the other end laughed derisively.

"Something better to do, old chap!" he said. "I am dining with Flo
Henderson--just speaking from her flat. Send Hilda along, there's a good
fellow."

John turned around. His eyes met Lady Hilda's, and he understood. He
handed the receiver to her in silence. Of the conversation which passed
he scarcely heard a word. As soon as it began, in fact, he left the
room and went across the hall to the billiard room. The lights were
already lit, and cues, ready chalked, were standing by the table.

John went through a few moments of dismayed wonder. He glanced out of
the window toward the garage, which was all in darkness. He heard the
soft sweep of Lady Hilda's skirts across the hall, the closing of the
door as she entered. Her eyes met his, as he turned around, with
something of challenge in them. Her lips were curved in a faintly
ironical smile.

"Well?" she exclaimed, a little defiantly. "Shall I telephone to London
for a chaperon?"

"Not unless you think it necessary," John replied, suddenly feeling the
fire of battle in his blood. "I can assure you that I am to be trusted.
On the other hand, if you prefer it, I can motor back to town; or I can
go to the inn, and come and take you on the river in the morning."

It was obvious that she was a little surprised. She came over to him,
put her hands upon the billiard table, and looked up into his face.

"Don't be a goose," she begged, "and please don't imagine foolish
things. I suppose my telegram to Fred must have gone wrong. Anyhow, I
don't think we need anybody else. We've got along very well so far
to-day, haven't we?"

"I've enjoyed every moment of it," John declared cheerfully, "and I am
looking forward more than I can tell you to beating you at billiards, to
sleeping once more with my windows wide open and no smuts, and to having
another pull on that river in the morning. Let me give you fifteen this
time. I want to play my best!"

She took up her cue with a little sigh of half-puzzled relief. They
played two games, the second one at John's insistence. Then the butler
brought in whisky and soda.

"Is there anything further to-night, madam?" he asked, after he had
arranged the tray.

"Nothing," Lady Hilda answered. "You can go